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Gov. DeSantis announces $26 million in funding to fight opioid crisis in Florida

By Sarah Wilson
By Sarah Wilson

SANFORD, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday that he has secured an additional $26 million in federal funds to fight the opioid crisis in Florida.

“The opioid epidemic has devastated families and communities throughout our state. These are issues that require serious comprehensive action. So, today I'm taking decisive action," DeSantis said.

During a news conference in Sanford, DeSantis also announced that he is reestablishing Florida's office of drug control and creating a drug task force on drug abuse to combat the opioid epidemic.

DeSantis made the annoucements at the Sanford Fire Department.

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According to the AP, DeSantis appointed Attorney General Ashley Moody to chair the statewide task force, which will develop a strategy and make recommendations.

The recommendations were made by Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma after he was picked by Moody to head the statewide opioid task force.
"They said we need to bring back the office of drug control policy or have a statewide task force to see what's working, what isn't (and) how we can attack this in Florida?" Moody said.
DeSantis also signed an executive order which take immediate steps in prioritizing a statewide substance abuse prevention strategy.
“First, I’m reestablishing the office of drug control within the executive office of the governor.  This office was discontinued several years ago, but the importance of restoring its function cannot be more obvious given the circumstances that are before us,” he said.

Moody said Florida loses 17 people a day to the drug crisis, including one on Monday in Seminole County, where the announcement took place.

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